Manager, Foodservice Channel Intelligence

Job Description:

Opportunity with Mars to shape growth strategy for Mars’ Foodservice business!

Mars Foodservice is a division of Mars, Incorporated, specializing in meeting the needs of foodservice professionals. As a market leader with a variety of powerful brands, Mars Foodservice delivers trusted products and culinary expertise to meet consumer tastes and operator needs.

This high-impact Manager, Foodservice Channel Intelligence role owns primary research, syndicated and secondary intelligence, and trend foresight. This person will work closely with cross-functional leadership teams on strategic initiatives and identify opportunities that inform commercial strategy, innovation, portfolio decisions, sales enablement, and category growth.

This is a full-time position based in Chicago, IL with a hybrid work schedule. Mars is seeking an individual contributor to serve as the voice of the Foodservice, Vending, and Unattended Retail Operator, Consumer, Shopper, and Marketplace. This role generates actionable insights and future-focused intelligence to influence decisions in the Mars’ Foodservice (aka Away From Home) business.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Leading qualitative and quantitative primary research with foodservice, vending, and unattended retail decision makers.
• Driving the understanding of the opportunities at the intersection of operator and consumer needs; developing solutions that address both needs and demand.
• Synthesizing multiple sources of information and translating insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Partnering closely with Sales, Innovation, Category, and Portfolio teams to support strategic planning, growth initiatives, and sales enablement.
• Developing forward-looking perspectives that help the business anticipate change and inform strategic priorities.
• Generating compelling, insight-led stories that strengthen customer engagement.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required; MBA/Graduate-level degree a plus.
• 5+ years of professional experience in mixed-methods market research, across shopper, consumer, and/or B2B insights.
• Experience leading qualitative and quantitative primary research projects (including planning focus groups and surveys).
• Expertise effectively leveraging secondary research and syndicated data.
• Strong communication, storytelling, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and convert insights into successful business recommendations and actions.
• Confidence in serving as a trusted advisor on foodservice operators, consumers, trends, and future growth opportunities for the business unit.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 or more years of experience in Consumer Insights & Research, with a high preference for experience in Foodservice channels.
• Experience conducting mixed-methods research with both business decision makers and consumers.
• Familiarity with syndicated and industry intelligence sources (such as Circana, Technomic, Datassential, or Mintel).

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we are striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.